Through a Bush, Messily

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:
now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
– Corinthians 13:12 KJV

Early imprinting lasts: In this case, a weekly exposure to Bible readings. Without any pretense at serious, ongoing Biblical study, I still have bits and pieces that surface at odd (hopefully apropos) moments.

As, for example, when I see birds through intervening twigs and branches and leaves, oh my, I go ahead and take the shot but mutter under my breath, “Through a bush, messily.” I’ve learned that the camera does varying things to those intervening twigs and branches and leaves: They’re translucent or smeary in some cases and yet quite solid and defined in others. To me, these varying effects are still unpredictable (something to do with depth of field, I expect), for “now I know in part.”

But even as I take the through-the-bush shot, I still hope for that eventual seeing face-to-face. And sometimes, the birds cooperate.

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“And this our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything. I would not change it.” Wm Shakespeare, As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 1.

I had to hunt for this reference, part of which was elicited by your reference to scripture, and I find that it explains my comment about the owlet in its nest relieving the pain of the “public haunt.” There is not much new under the sun, but there is joy in the renewal.

Laurna: “Joy in the renewal.” Delightfully true. That gives me the explanation I needed for why I go back to the same spots,chasing many of the same birds, again and again – and each time as if for the first time. Yes. Renewal brings joy.

Laurna’s quote from Shakespeare sent me hunting for Elizabeth Barrett Browning:
“Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God,
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.”